Coin apparatus



Sept. 22, 1964 J. T. SCHULLER 3,149,709

\ COIN APPARATUS Filed Feb. 1, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet '1 Sept. 22, 1964 J.T. SCHULLER COIN APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 1, 1962 Sept. 22,1964 J. T. SCHULLER COIN APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 1, 1962FIGS.

Sept. 22, 1964 J. T. SCHULLER 3,149,709

com APPARATUS Filed Feb. 1, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG.4.

I Sept. 22,1964 J. T. SCHULLER 3,149,709

COIN APPARATUS Filed Feb. 1, 1962 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 1, 1962 J.T. SCHULLER 3,149,709

COIN APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 United States Patent 3,149,709 CQINAPPARATUS .larnes T. Schuller, St. Anns, Mm, assignor, by mesneassignments, to Universal Match Corporation, Ferguson, Mo, a corporationof Delaware Filed Feb. 1, 1962, Ser. No. 170,450 20 laims. (Cl. 194-48)This invention relates to coin apparatus, and more particularly to suchapparatus for controlling the operation of a vending machine or thelike.

The invention is an improvement upon coin apparatus of the class shownin the coassigned U. S. Patent 3,028,- 940 of Alvin W. Holstein andJames T. Schuller, issued April 10, 1962, and in the coassigned U.S.Fatent 2,991,- 867 of James T. Schuller issued July 11, 1961.

Coin apparatus of the class shown in U.S. Patent 3,028,- 940 and U.S.Patent 2,991,867 comprises a coin-actuated totalizer unit adapted 'tototalize the amount of coins deposited in the vending machine in whichthe coin apparatus is used, the unit including three so-called indexingstops (indicated at 125, 127 and 129 in U.S. Patent 3,028,940 and at S1,S2 and S3 in U.S. Patent 2,991,867). These stops are rotatable away froma zero position in response to deposit of coins. Associated with eachstop is a feeler (the feelers being indicated at 171, 183 and 195 inU.S. Patent 3,028,940 and at F1, F2 and F3 in U.S. Patent 2,991,867).The vending machine includes a plurality of purchaser-operable pull-outrods and mechanism for moving the feelers toward the stops when any rodis pulled out. Each feeler is then engageable with its respective stopto block it against full working movement unless the respective stop hasrotated to a position clearing the feeler for full working movement.Each feeler controls a latch release member, the arrangement being suchthat on full working movement of a feeler, the respective latch releasemember is actuated to release an associated latch in the machine.

Since, in the operation of coin apparatus such as shown in U.S. Patent3,028,940 and U.S. Patent 2,991,867, there occur conditions when onefeeler must be permitted to operate its associated latch release memberwhile the other two feelers are blocked out by the respective stops, orwhen two feelers must be permitted to operate the associated latchrelease members while the third feeler is blocked out by the respectivestop, tension springs (such as indicated at 219, 222 and 223 in U.S.Patent 3,028,940 and at 67, 69 and 71 in U.S. Patent 2,991,867) areinterposed in the mechanism between the pull-out rods and the feelers toenable full working movement of the one feeler while the other two areblocked out or of two feelers while the third is blocked out. It hasbeen found that, in some circumstances, interposition of these springsincreases to an undesirable extent the force which must be exerted by apurchaser to pull out a pull-out rod, since the purchaser is required toexert force to stretch certain of the springs. Also, on a fast pull of apull-out rod, interposition of the springs may in some instances cause afailure of the latch-releasing operation.

Accordingly, among the several objects of the invention may be noted theprovision of an improved coin apparatus of the class described whereinthe latch-release members are in effect directly actuated from thepull-out rods without the interposition of springs, thereby minimizingthe force which a purchaser must apply to pull out a pull-out rod, andminimizing the possibility of failure to release the latches on a fastpull; and the provision of improved coin apparatus such as describedwhich is economical to construct and reliable in operation. The improvedapparatus is featured by a construction in which, instead of havingfeelers each blocked by a respective stop for values below apredetermined value assigned to 3,1483% Patented Sept. 22., 1.964%

that stop and cleared for full working movement for values above theassigned value, each feeler is cleared for full movement but nonworkingmovement for values below the assigned value, and blocked for valuesabove the assigned value, the desired latch release being obtained byblocking instead of clearing of the feeler, as will be made clear. Otherobjects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed outhereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafterdescribed, the scope of the invention being indicated in the followingclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possibleembodiments of the invention is illustrated,

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a coin apparatus of this invention; 7

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the coin apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 with certain front cover platesremoved, and certain parts broken away;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged horizontal cross section taken on line 4-4 of FIG.1, showing the totalizer unit of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a generally horizontal cross section taken on line 5--5 ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross section taken on line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a vertical cross section taken on line 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11 are vertical cross sections taken on lines 88,9-9, 1010 and 11-11, respectively, of FIG. 4, of the totalizer unit perse;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary vertical section showing the rearward side ofthe ratchet member shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a fragment of FIG. 11 with parts broken away; and

FIG. 14 (sheet 4-) is a horizontal cross section taken on line 14-14 ofFIG. 3.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the drawlngs.

Referring to the drawings, a coin apparatus of this invention is shownto comprise a main mechanism plate 1' (see particularly FIGS. 2 and 4)having left and right side flanges 3 and 5, and upper and lower frontcover plates 7a and 7b (see particularly FIG. 1) which close oif thespace between side flanges 3 and 5. The upper cover plate 7a has leftand right side flanges 9a and 11a and the lower cover plate 7b has leftand right side flanges 91) and 11b which fit on the outside of flanges 3and 5.

Mounted on the mainmechanism plate 1 are three latch release levers R1,R2, R3 (see FIGS. 2, 3 and 6) which correspond to the latch releaselevers R1, R2, R3 shown in U.S. Patent 2,991,867. These normally occupytheretracted position in which they appear in FIGS. 3 and 6, and aremovable away from their retracted position for releasing three latches(not shown) of the vending machine in which the coin apparatus is used.Thi machine may be of the type shown in U.S. Patent 3,028,940 and U.S.Patent 2,993,581, for example, and the stated latches may be similar tothe latches L1, L2, L3 shown in saidapplication and said patent.

The latch release levers R1, R2, R3 are adapted for actuation by membersD1, D2, D3, respectively (see FIGS. 3 and 5 Each of these is constitutedby a drag link mounted for sliding movement toward the left away fromthe retracted position in which they appear in FIG. 3, and back towardretracted position; They are biased toward retracted position (i.e.,toward the right as viewed in FIG. 3) as will appear. Drag links D1, D2,D3 are adapted for actuation by feeders F1, F2, F3, respectively. Eachof these is constituted by a lever pivoted intermediate its ends at theleft end of the respective drag link. As will appear, each feeler F1,F2, F3 is capable of free movement relative to the respective drag linkD1, D2, D3 without moving it, and is adapted for working movement tomove it.

For each feeler lever F1, F2, F3, there is an auxiliary feeler lever,the three auxiliary feeler levers being designated FlA, FZA, F3A (seeFIGS. 4 and 13). These are located in proximity to a cluster oftotalizer member or stops S1, S2, S3 (see FIGS. 3, 4 and 11), one foreach feeler lever, constituting part of a coin totalizer unit generallydesignated 15. Each totalizer member or stop S1, S2, S3 is movable froma position such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 11 which may be referred to asthe zero position clearing the respective auxiliary feeler lever FllA,F2A and FSA and main feeler lever F1, F2, F3 to a position blocking therespective auxiliary feeler lever and main feeler lever in response todeposit in the apparatus of a predetermined amount in coin, as willappear. When any totalizer member or stop S1, S2, S3 is in its zerofeeler-clearing position, it allows free movement of respective feelerlever F1, F2, F3 without moving the respective drag link D1, D2, D3, andconsequently without effect on the respective latch release lever R1,R2, R3. However, when any totalizer member or stop S1, S2, S3 is infeeler-blocking position, it reacts on the respective feeler lever F1,F2, F3 through the respective auxiliary feeler FIA, FZA, F3A to effectworking movement of the respective feeler lever F1, F2, F3 to move therespective drag link D1, D2, D3 and consequently to actuate therespective latch release lever R1, R2, R3.

The coin totalizer unit 15 includes an arm constituted by a trip wire 17pivoted to swing on the axis of a shaft 19 and having a finger 21 at itsfree end which extends across three coin chutes NC, DC and QC (see FIG.of a coin chute assembly 23 mounted on the inside of plate 1. Chute NCis for nickels, chut DC is for dimes and chute QC is for quarters. Thearrangement is such that a coin dropping in any one of the coin chutesswings the trip wire 17 down from its raised retracted position of FIG.3 through an angle corresponding to the value of the coin. The coin thenescapes from the trip wire, the wire swings back up to its raisedretracted position, and on its upward swing it acts to index the clusterS1, S2, S3 forward (rotate it counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 3 and11) a number of steps corresponding to the value of the coin. A nickelindexes the cluster forward one step, a dime indexes it forward twosteps, and a quarter indexes it forward five steps, as will be madeclear.

The cluster S1, S2, S3 normally occupies the so-called zero position(see FIGS. 3 and 11) in which feeler levers F1, F2 and F3 are unblockedfor full inward swing in the direction toward the center of the cluster.Any such position of any one of stop S1, S2, S3 may be referred to as afeeler-clearing position thereof, since the respective feeler lever F1,F2, F3 is then allowed free pivotal movement relative to the respectivecontrol member or drag link D1, D2, D3 without moving the latter. If asufficient amount in coin is deposited, the cluster S1, S2, S3 isindexed or advanced (rotated counterclockwise) a suficient number ofsteps to bring it into position blocking one or more of the feelerlevers from full inward swing. Such position of any one of stops S1, S2,S3 may be referred to as its feeler-blocking position, since the upperend of respective feeler lever F1, R2 or F3 is then blocked fromswinging by engagement with the respective auxiliary lever FlA, F2A,F3A, which is in turn blocked by the respective stop, and operatingmovement of the respective feeler lever F1, F2, F3 is effected to movethe respective drag link D1, D2, D3, thereby to actuate the respectivelatch release lever R1, R2, R3.

The three latch release levers R1, R2 and R3 are pivotally mounted oneabove another on a vertical rod 25 located between the coin chuteassembly 23 and the right side flange 5 of plate 1. This rod is mountedin upper and lower ears 27 struck from plate I. Levers R1, R2, R3 havelatch-actuating arms Rla, R2a, R3a which are bent to extend throughslots 29, 31 and 33 in plate 1, and crank arms Rib, R212 and R311 whichextend forward (see FIG. 6). Drag links Dll, D2 and D3 are pinconnectedat one end as indicated at 35 to the respective crank arms Rlb, R2b andR31), and extend from the crank arms in front of coin chute assembly 23.Each feeler lever F1, F2, F3 is pivoted for swinging movement on ahorizontal pin 37 at the left end of the respective link D1, D2, D3, thepins 37 extending transversely to the length of the links. Each link hasa horizontal slot 39 (see FIG. 3) adjacent its left end, and a stud 41extends forward from plate 1 through these slots to support the linksfor longitudinal sliding movement. Springs indicated at 43, 45 and 47bias levers R1, R2, R3 to their retracted FIG. 3 position, and actthrough these levers to bias links D1, D2, D3 to move toward the rightto their retracted P16. 3 position.

Mechanism for actuating feeler levers F1, F2 and F3 (and for actuatinglinks D1, D2, D3 if the respective totalizer members or stops S1, S2, S3are in blocking position with regard to the upper ends of the feelerlevers) is shown to comprise a shaft 49 extending through registeringopenings 51 and 53 in main plate 1 and cover plate 722. This shaftconstitutes part of the vending machine in the which the coin apparatusof this invention is used (and corresponds to shaft '77 shown in US.Patent 2,991,867 and shaft 253 shown in US. application Serial No.629,749). Secured on the forward end of shaft 49 in front of cover plate7a is a lever 55 (see FIG. I) having an upwardly extending arm 55a andan arm 55b extending toward the right. A lever 57 (see FIGS. 3 and 7) ispivoted on stud 41. This lever extends down from stud 41 and, at itslower end, carries on its forward side a stud 61 having a roller 62thereon engageable with the right edges of feeler levers F1, F2, F3adjacent the lower ends of the latter (see FIGS. 3 and 7). Lever 57 alsocarries on its rear side a cam follower roll 63. This is engageable byedge 65a of a cam 65 on the inner end of a hub 67 journalled on a pin 69extending forward from plate 1 through an opening 71 provided in coverplates 7a and 7b. Hub 67 has a crank arm 73 on its outer end in front ofcover plate 7a. A link 75 is pin-connected at 77 to arm 73 and has a pinand slot connection 79 with the upper end of arm 55a of lever 55. Atension spring 81 is interconnected between arm 55a and link 75 toprovide a yielding connection in the linkage from shaft 49 to arm '73.

It will be understood that shaft 49 and lever 55 are rotated clockwiseas viewed in FIG. 1 away from the retracted position in which lever 55appears in FIG. 1, and then returned counterclockwise back to thisretracted position when a purchaser pulls out a knob of the vendingmachine and then returns the knob. Upon clockwise swing of lever 55,link 75 is pulled to the right through spring 81, and arm 73 and theassociated cam 65 swing clockwise. As cam 65 swings clockwise (upward asviewed in FIG. 3), its edge 65a engages follower roll 63 on lever 57 andswings lever 57 clockwise (toward the left as viewed in FIG. 3). Roller62 on lever 57 then swings the lower ends of feeler levers F1, F2, F3 tothe left. As cam 65 completes its clockwise swing, its edge 652 ridesoff the follower roll 63. Then, on the return counterclockwise stroke oflever 55, the parts return to their initial positions.

The coin chute assembly 23 is substantially identical to the coin chuteassembly shown in US. Patent 2,991,- 867. It extends down from the topof the main plate 1 adjacent the right side flange 5 of plate 1, leavingspace between the left side of the coin chute assembly 23 and the leftside flange 3 of plate It for the totalizer unit 15. The dime chute DCof assembly 23 is located between the nickel chute NC and the quaterchute QC, the quarter chute being on the inside of the dime chute towardplate 1, the nickel chute being on the outside of the dime chute awayfrom plate 1 (see FIG. 5). The coin chute assembly 23 comprises acasting 85 formed with a groove on one side thereof forming the quarterchute QC and a casting 87 formed with grooves on opposite sides thereofforming the dime and nickel chutes. A plate 89 is provided betweencastings 85 and 87 serving as a partition between the quarter and dimechutes, and a cover plate 91 is provided overlying the outside ofcasting 87 serving as the outside wall of the nickel chute. Each of thecast ings 85 and 87 and the plates 89 and 91 is made with an arcuateslot so as to provide an arcuate slot 93 through the entire assembly 23.As fully disclosed in US. Patent 2,991,867, slot 93 registers with thenickel chute NC from the upper end of the slot through a portion of theslot having a length approximately one-fifth the entire length of theslot. Slot 93 registers with the dime chute DC from the upper end of theslot for approximately two-fifths the length of the slot. Slot 93registers with the quarter chute QC substantially throughout the entirelength of the slot. The coin chute assembly 23 is held together andsecured to plate 1 by means of bolts such as indicated at 95, with aspace between plate 1 and assembly 2 3 to accommodate the trip wire 17.The upper end of the assembly 23 is positioned in a gap 99 in a topflange 1131 on plate 1, and the upper ends of the coin chutes are open.

It will be understood that the vending machine has a slot for nickels,dimes and quarters. Coins deposited in this slot enter a coin selectorand slug reiector device (not shown) located above the coin chuteassembly 23 to deliver nickels to the nickel chute NC, dimes to the dimechute DC and quarters to the quarter chute QC. The coin selector andslug rejector device also acts to reject coins of improper denominations(pennies) and spurious coins. Coin selector and slug rejector devicessuitable for the purpose are well known: see, for example, US. Patent2,292,628.

Totalizer unit 15 (see FIGS. 3, 4- and 8-11) is similar to totalizerunit 15 shown in US. Patent 2,991,867, with certain modifications aswill appear. It comprises a rear or base plate 103, an intermediate orcenter plate 105, and a front cover plate 157. The base plate 193 is adie casting formed with three forwardly extending tubular spacer posts159 (see FIGS. 8-19 and 12). The center plate 105 is a sheet metal platehaving three holes 113 registering with posts 109. The front cover plate107 is a die casting formed with three rearwardly extending tubularspacer posts such as indicated at 115 in FIG. 14, the ends of whichengage center plate 105. Plates 163, 1115 and 167 are held in assemblyby screws 117 received in the hosts.

The base plate 103 is formed with a rearwardly extending circular cupportion 115 (see FIG. 4). This fits in an opening 126 in main plate 1. Abearing 121 (which may be made of brass, for example), is riveted in ahole at the center of the circular base of cup portion 119. Bearing 121secures a trip wire spring anchor 123 (see FIGS. 4 and 8) within the cupportion. The totalizer shaft 19 has one end received in bearing 121, andextends outward from base plate 193 through a hole in the center plate105. The outer end of shaft 19 is received in a hole 127 in a cap 129(which may be made of plastic such as nylon). The front cover plate 107has an opening 131 receiving the cap, the latter having bayonet lugs 133engaging the inside face of plate 107 to hold it in assembly therewithand allowing for its removal by turning to align the lugs 133 withnotches 135 in plate 107. The cover plate 7a has an opening 137accommodating the cap. A retaining plate 139 is secured to the outsideof the cap 129 and has a notch 141 (see FIG. 1) for receiving a lockingmember 143 for holding the cap against turning.

A pawl carrier 145 (see FIGS. 4 and 9) constituted by a sheet metalstamping has a hub 147 rotatably mounted on the totalizer shaft 19immediately in front of bearing 121. Trip wire 17 is secured to the pawlcarrier as indicated at 148 and extends through a slot in an car 149 onthe pawl carrier and thence in the space between the main plate 1 andthe coin chute assembly 23 to the slot 93, where it has the finger 21 atits free end extending forward through the slot 93 across all threechutes NC, DC, QC. A clock spring 151 (see FIGS. 4 and 8) has one endfixed to the hub 147 of the pawl carrier and its other end secured tospring anchor 123 for biasing the pawl carrier 145 and the wire 17 torotate counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 9 to a raised retractedposition determined by engagement of the wire with a stop 155. Springanchor 123 may be turned for adjustment of the spring bias on the pawlcarrier 145.

Clock spring 151 is located on the side of the disk 145 toward thebearing 121 and within the cup 119. Pivoted at 157 on the other side ofthe pawl carrier 145 is a driving pawl 159 (see FIG. 9). Pawl carrier145 also carries a leaf spring 161 biasing the pawl 159 towardengagement with a series of ratchet teeth 163 on a ratchet member 165(see FIGS. 4, 10 and 12). This ratchet member 165 has a hub 167 mountedon the totalizer shaft 19 independently of pawl carrier 145, and is freeto rotate relative to the pawl carrier. Member 165 is so formed as tohave a disk portion 171 peripherally formed with holding ratchet teeth173. Teeth 163 are driving teeth, being formed on an annular flange 175of smaller diameter than disk 171 projecting rearward from disk 171.Ratchet member 165 is biased to rotate clockwise as viewed in FIG. 10 bya clock spring 177 having one end secured to the hub 167 of the ratchetmember and its other end secured to a spring anchor 17 8 mounted on alug 179 formed on base plate 103. Spring 177 is lighter and weaker thanspring 151 (see FIG. 4). Plate 1 35 has an arcuate slot 183 (see FIG.11) centered in and partially surrounding the hole in plate 165 forshaft 19, and an opening 185 extending radially outward from thisarcuate slot at the top. Ratchet disk 171 has a finger 187 extendingforward through arcuate slot 153.

At 189 (see FIG. 10) is indicated a holding pawl engageable with theholding teeth 173 on ratchet member 165., This holding pawl is pivotedon a pin 191 extending between the base plate 193 and the center plate105'. It is biased toward engagement with teeth 173 by a spring 193attached to a spring post 195 on center plate 105. A reset lever 197 ispivoted at 199 on a pin extending from the base plate 103. The resetlever is biased by a torsion spring 2111 to swing clockwise on pivot pin199 to the retracted position in which it appears in FIG. 10. It has adownwardly extending tail 203 for actuating a reset arm 2&5. The latteris pivoted at its lower end as indicated at 2117 on a stud extendingfrom base plate 163 and is biased toward the retracted position in whichit appears in FIG. 10 by a spring 211. This retracted position of thereset arm is determined by its engagement with lug 179. Arm 205, onswinging away from its retracted position, is engageable with thedriving pawl 159 to release the latter. Reset lever 197 also carries apin 212 engageable with the holding pawl 189. The arrangement is suchthat when the reset lever 197 swings away from its FIG. 10 retractedposition, pin 212 moves up and releases holding pawl 189 and tail 2113on the reset lever swings reset arm 205 away from its retracted positionto release the driving pawl 15?; When the pawls are released, clockspring 177 is adapted to rotate the ratchet member 165 clockwise to zeroposition which is determined by engagement of finger 187 with the end183a of slot 183.

At 213 (see FIG. 10) is indicated a latch adapted to latch the resetlever 197 in pawl-releasing position. This latch 213' comprises a leverpivoted as indicated at 215 on a pin extending between the base plate103 and the center plate 105 and having a finger 217 at its free endadapted for latching engagement with a stud 219 on the reset lever tolatch the latter in pawl-releasing position. Latch lever 213 also has anarm 221 having a finger 223 at its free end engageable by a projection225 on ratchet member 165 when the latter returns to Zero position. Thelatch lever 213 is gravity biased in the direction toward latchingengagement with stud 219 on the reset lever. Each time the reset lever19'] is moved to release the pawls, latch lever 213 tends to move intoposition to latch the reset lever 197 in pawl-releasing position.Assuming the ratchet member returns to zero position following releaseof the pawls, projection 225 on the ratchet member strikes finger 223 onlatch arm 221 before latch lever 213 has had time to drop into latchingengagement with reset lever 197, thereby allowing reset lever 197 toreturn to retracted position. If, however, the ratchet member shouldfail to return to zero position, the latch lever 213 drops into latchingengagement with reset lever 197 and holds it in pawl-releasing position.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a bushing 225 which is mounted onshaft 19, being rotatable relative to the shaft. This bushing has aflange 227 at its rearward end. The flange 227 has a notch 229 (see FIG.11) receiving the finger 187 for keying the bushing 225 to the ratchetmember 165 so that the bushing rotates with the ratchet member. Thefront face of flange 227 has markings spaced at intervals correspondinto the spacing of the ratchet teeth and representing prices from fivecents to sixty cents in five cent increments (see FIG. 11). On theforward face of the flange surrounding the bushing are crown couplingteeth 231. The stops S1, S2 and S3 fit rotatably on the bushing. Thestops are identical, each comprising a disk having crown coupling teeth233 on both faces thereof, and having a lobe 235 extending for about 53of are around the periphery of the disk. The leading ends of the lobes235 of stops S1, S2 and S3 are respectively designated 81A, 52A and S3A.Stop S1 is the rear stop of the three, stop S2 is the middle stop, andstop S3 is the front stop. The stops are biased axially rearward on thebushing 225 by a spring 237. With the crown coupling teeth of stop S2 inmesh with the teeth on stops S1 and S3 and with the teeth on stop S1 inmesh with the crown coupling teeth 231 on the flange 227, and withfinger 187 of ratchet member 165 in the notch 229 of flange 227, allthree stops are locked to the ratchet member 165 for rotation therewith.The stops are independently rotatably adjustable on the bushing 225 bymoving them outward on the bushing against the bias of the spring 237 todisengage the teeth, and then rotating them to a desired angularposition. The stops S1, S2 and S3 have projections such as indicated at239 which serve as pointers in conjunction with the markings on flange227 for facilitating the adjustment of the stops.

Coins drop out of the chutes NC, DC and QC into a hopper indicated at241 in the lower part of the apparatus (see FIG. 3). This hopper isdefined by plates 1 and 7b and left and right lower pivoted gates 243and 245. The gates have a common pivot at 247. A spring-biased coinreturn bar 249 (see FIG. 2) vertically slidable on the outside of theplate 1 has a finger 251 reaching through a slot 253 in the plate 1under the left-hand gate 243 for holding this gate in an upper closedposition. Springs for biasing the bar 249 upward are indicated at 255 inFIG. 2. Upon downward movement of the bar 249 against the bias of thesprings 255, finger 251 engages a sock 257 on the bottom of gate 243,and swings this gate down to spill out any coins in the hopper into achute 259 for return to a customer.

Pivoted at 261 on the outside of the lower front cover plate 7b is alever 263 (see FIG. 1). This lever is biased by a spring 265 to swingclockwise (upward) to the raised retracted position in which it appearsin FIG. 1. This retracted position is determined by engagement of theend of the lever with an ear 267 struck out from plate 7b. Lever 263 hasa cam follower roller 269 engageable (D by a cam edge 271 on arm 55b oflever 55, the arrangement being such that lever 263 is swung downwardwhen lever 55 turns clockwise, and returns upward when lever 55 returnscounterclockwise. The right-hand gate 245 has a finger 273 extendingthrough an arcuate slot 275 in the lower front cover plate 7b. Lever 263has a slot 277 receiving finger 273 and a roller 279 at the top of theslot engageable with the finger, the arrangement being such that, ondownward swing of lever 263, gate 245 is swung down to spill out anycoins in the hopper into a chute 281 which leads to a money box, and, onreturn upward swing of lever 263, gate 245 returns to closed position. Atorsion spring 233 is provided on pivot 247.

Means is provided for damping or braking the trip wire 17 on its upward(return) swing to slow down its movement and the movement of the pawlcarrier to preclude overrunning or overriding of the ratchet member 165,bushing 225 and members S153 which are keyed to the ratchet member. Asshown in FIG. 3, this damping means comprisis a damping wire 235 pivotedas indicated at 237 on plate 1 hanging down from the pivot in positionfor brushing against the trip wire 17 and having a weight 289 at itslower end. The arrangement is such that as the trip wire 17 swingsupward, it brushes against the wire 285, thereby retarding its movementto prevent override of the ratchet member 165, bushing 225 and members51-83.

A stud 291 (see FIG. 3) extends forward from plate 1 at the left of thecoin chute assembly 23 adjacent the top of plate 1. Pivoted on this studis a cam 293 for actuating the reset lever 197. Cam 293 normallyoccupies the retracted position in which it appears in FIG. 3 determinedby its engagement with an ear 295 struck from plate 1. It has a cam edge297 engageable on clockwise swing of the cam with a follower roll 299 onthe reset lever to swing the reset lever away from its retractedposition to its pawl-releasing position. Roll 299 extends through a slot301 in plate 1 for actuation by coin return bar 249, the latter having anotch 303 (see FIG. 2) formed to provide a cam edge for this purpose.Cam 293 is actuated by a link 3415 from cam 65, this link beingpin-connected at its lower end as indicated at 307 to cam 65 and havinga pin and slot connection at its upper end as indicated at 399 to cam293.

A lever 311, which may be referred to as a nonreset lock lever, ispivoted on stud 291 along with cam 293, overlying the link 3115. Lever311 has an arm 313 extending toward the left with a finger 315 on thearm engageable with the reset lever 197. A spring 317 biases lever 311to swing clockwise, and thereby holds finger 315 in engagement with thereset lever. Lever 311 also has a downwardly extending arm 319 having aserrated lower end 321. Link 305 carries a forwardly projecting pin 323.The arrangement is such that when reset lever 197 is in retractedposition, it holds nonreset lock lever 311 in its FIG. 3 retractedposition wherein the lower end 321 of arm 319 of lever 311 is clear ofpin 323 on link 395. This permits upward movement of the link onactuation of cam 65 to actuate the reset cam 293, and hence to actuatethe reset lever 197. If reset lever 197 should be latched in itspawl-releasing position by latch 213 due to failure of ratchet member toreturn to zero position, then, after link 3115 has moved downward, lever31]. swings to the left to the point where finger 315 engages the resetlever, which brings the lower end 321 of arm 319 of lever 311 directlyabove the pin 323 on link 305. Then, on the next attempted actuation,link 305 is blocked from moving upward, thereby precluding actuation ofcam 65, and hence precluding operation of latch release levers R1, R2,R3.

Auxiliary feeler levers F1A, FZA and F3A are pivoted on a pin 325received in a feeler guide assembly 327 which is mounted on the forwardside of center plate 1115 of totalizer unit 15. This feeler guideassembly comprises a base plate 329 next to the center plate 105 andthree feeler guide plates each designated 331 formed to provide spacesfor the feeler levers. The feeler guide assembly is held together andsecured to the center plate 185 by rivets 333, being located at the leftof the totalizer unit. Pin 325 extends through holes in the base plateand the guide plates, being located toward the left of and above theaxis of the totalizer shaft 19. The auxiliary feeler levers areidentical, each having a finger 335 extending toward the right adjacentits lower end adapted to feel in toward a respective member S1, S2, S3somewhat below the horizontal plane of shaft 19. Tension springs such asindicated at 337 connected between the upper ends of auxiliary feelerlevers F1A, FZA and F3A and a stud 339 extending forward from the centerplate 105 bias the auxiliary feeler levers to swing away from membersS1, S2, S3 to the retracted position in which they appear in FIGS. 11and 13. There are three such springs, one for each auxiliary feelerlever. Main feeler levers F1, F2 and F3 reach up into the spaces in thefeeler guide assembly 327 behind the lower ends of auxiliary feelerlevers FlA, F2A, F3A, respectively. With the auxiliary feeler leversbiased by springs 337 to their stated retracted position, main feelerlevers F1, F2, F3 are normally held in the retracted position in whichthey appear in FIG. 3. Springs 337 are light, weak springs.

Operation is as follows:

As herein illustrated, and by way of example, the apparatus may be setup for vending twenty-five cent, thirty cent and thirty-five cent items.Certain pullout rods of the vending machine will then be adapted fordispensing twenty-five cent items, others will be adapted for dispensingthirty cent items, and others will be adapted for dispensing thirty-fivecent items. Actuation of latch release lever R1 is required to unlockany twenty-five cent rod; actuation of lever R2 in addition to R1 isrequired to unlock any thirty cent rod; and actuation of all threelevers R1-R3 is required to unlock any thirty-five cent rod. Stops S1,S2, 533 are set in such angular positions relative to one another and tothe bushing 225 that it takes five steps of the ratchet member 165 fromzero position to rotate the cluster of stops to a position wherein lobe235 of stop S1 is brought around to blocking position as regards finger335 of auxiliary feeler F1A, six steps of the ratchet member to rotatethe cluster to a position where lobe 235 of stop S2 is brought around toblocking position as regards finger 335 of auxiliary feeler F2A, andseven steps of the ratchet member to rotate the cluster to a positionwhere lobe 235 of stop S3 is brought around to blocking position asregards finger 335 of auxiliary feeler lever F3A.

It will be understood that on deposit of a nickel, ratchet member 165and the cluster of stops S1S3 are indexed forward (rotatedcounterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 11) through a one-tooth orone-step interval and held in their so advanced position against thebias of the ratchet return spring 177 by the pawls 159 and 189. Ondeposit of a dime, the ratchet member and cluster are indexed forwardtwo steps, and on deposit of a quarter, the ratchet member and clusterare indexed forward five steps.

Assuming that a purchaser has deposited twenty-five cents in coin(either as a quarter, two dimes and a nickel, a dime and three nickels,or five nickels), the ratchet member 165 and stops S1S3 will be indexedfive steps from the zero position shown in FIGS. 3 and 11 to atwenty-five cent position and latched in the five-step advanced positionby pawls 159 and 189. This brings stops S1, S2, S3 around from theirzero position to a position with the lobe of stop S1 opposed to finger335 of auxiliary feeler FlA, but with the lobes of stops S2 and S3 stillclear of fingers 335 of auxiliary feelers FZA and F3A. Now, havingdeposited twenty-five cents, the purchaser pulls out a twenty-five centrod of the vending machine, resulting in clockwise rotation of shaft 49and lever 55.

The latter then pulls link 75 to the right and rotates arm 73 and cam 65clockwise. Cam edge 65:: on cam 65 engages cam follower roll 53 on lever57 and swings the latter clockwise (toward the left as viewed in FIG.3). Roller 62 on lever 57 engages the lower ends of main feeler leversF1, F2 and F3 and swings the lower end of each of these levers to theleft. The upper end of main feeler lever F1 engages auxiliary feelerFlA, which is now blocked from swinging more than a small amount inwardtoward stop S1 by the lobe on this stop. Accordingly, the blockedauxiliary feeler FlA provides a fulcrum for clockwise swinging of mainfeeler lever F1 about the point of engagement of the upper end of mainfeeler lever F1 and auxiliary feeler F1A, and main feeler lever F1swings clockwise about the fulcrum so provided. This effects translationof pivot 37 of lever F1 toward the left, thereby pulling drag link D1toward the left to actuate the latch release lever R1. This permits thetwenty-five cent rod of the vending machine to be completely pulled outand then returned to its retracted position to dispense a twenty-fivecent item. Feeler levers F2 and F3 are not blocked from swinging inwardtoward stops S2 and S3, since the lobes on these stops are clear offingers 335 on auxiliary feelers F2A and F3A. Accordingly, feeler leversF2 and F3 simply swing freely clockwise on their pivots 37 on links D2and D3, and the latter remain in their retracted position so that latchrelease levers R2 and R3 are not actuated. This precludes operation of athirty cent or thirty-five cent rod on deposit only of twenty-fivecents.

As cam 55; continues through its stated clockwise swing, its cam edge55c rides off the follower roll 63 on lever 57, and the latter isthereby allowed to swing back toward the right to release the feelerlevers F1, F2, F3. Springs 337 then return the auxiliary feelers F1A,FZA and FSA, and particularly the auxiliary feeler FlA, to retractedposition to remove feeler pressure on the cluster of stops Sl-S3 toallow ratchet member and the cluster to reset to the zero position. Link305, being driven upward by cam 65, then swings reset cam 293 clockwise.Nonreset lock lever 311 at this time is in its retracted position, andits arm 319 is clear of pin 323 on link 305. The pin and slot connectionat 309 provides for lost motion to delay actuation of reset cam 293until after cam edge 65a of cam 65 has ridden off roll 63 to release thefeelers. On the stated clockwise swing of reset cam 293, its edge 297engages follower roll 299 on reset lever 197 to swing the lattercounterclockwise from its retracted position. On such counterclockwiseswing of the reset lever 197, its tail 203 swings reset arm 205clockwise to release the driving pawl 159 and pin 212 on the reset leverreleases the holding pawl 189. Ratchet member 165 and stops 81-83 arethus freed for return to zero position under the bias of spring 177. Asthe reset lever 197 swings away from its retracted position to releasethe pawls, the nonreset lock lever 311 follows it, swinging clockwiseaway from the retracted position shown in FIG. 3.

'When the pull-out rod of the vending machine is returned, shaft 49 andlever 55 are returned counterclockwise back to the initial position. Cam65 is thereupon returned to its initial position, and pulls link 305back down to its initial position. Cam 293 thereupon returns to initialposition, releasing the reset lever 197 for return to retracted positionprovided the reset lever has not been latched in its pawl-releasingposition by the latch 213. Assuming reset lever 197 has not been solatched, it swings clockwise back to retracted position and, in sodoing, swings nonreset lock lever 311 back to retracted position.Whether or not the reset lever 197 becomes latched depends on whether ornot ratchet member 165 is actually quickly returned to zero position. Ifthe ratchet member quickly returns to zero position, projection 225thereon strikes the finger 223 on arm 221 of latch 213 and keeps theletter from dropping into latching position. If, however, the ratchetmember should fail quickly to return to zero position (as, for example,because of dirt in the mechanism), latch 213 drops into latchingengagement with stud 219 on the reset lever and latches the latter inits pawl-releasing position. If the reset lever should be latched bylatch 213 in its pawlreleasing position due to failure of the ratchetmember to reset quickly to zero position, the nonreset lock lever 311remains in active position toward the right of its FIG. 3 retractedposition wherein the serrated lower end 321 of arm 319 lies in the pathof pin 32.3 on link 365. This prevents further operation of the vendingmachine until the ratchet member 165 and stops 51-83 are returned to thezero position. Sometimes it is possible to release the ratchet member165 for return to zero position by actuating coin return bar 249, whichactuatcs the reset lever 197, and then when the ratchet member returnsto zero position, latch 213 is released to release the reset lever forreturn to retracted position, which returns the nonreset lock lever 311to retracted position. Otherwise, it is necessary to service themachine.

Also, upon the above-noted clockwise rotation of lever 55, the cam edge55b thereon engages follower roller 269 on lever 263, and swings thelatter lever downward. Roller 2'79 on lever 263 engages finger 273 onthe righthand gate 245, and swings this gate down to spill out the coinor coins in hopper 241 into the chute 281 for delivery of the coin orcoins to the money box. On counterclockwise return of lever 55, lever263 swings back up and gate 245 is returned to closed position.

if less than twenty-five cents in coin should be deposited, stops Sl.S3are rotated through less than the five steps necessary to bring lobe 235of stop S1 into feeler-blocking position in relation to main feelerlever Fl. Accordingly, feeler lever Fl, as well as feeler levers F2 andF3, is adapted for full-stroke inward swing, and on attempted operationof any pull-out rod of the vending machine, all three feeler leversFl-FS simply pivot freely on their pivots 37 without actuating latchrelease levers R1R3. Thus, buying is entirely precluded unless at leastthe minimum amount of twenty-five cents is deposited in coin or coins.

Assuming that a purchaser has deposited thirty cents in coin, the stops81-53 will be rotated six steps from the zero position. This bringsstops S1 and S2 to a position with lobes 235 of these two stops opposedto the respective auxiliary feelers HA and FZA. As previously stated, itis necessary to operate release levers R1 and R2 to obtain a thirty centitem. When the purchaser, having deposited thirty cents, pulls out athirty cent rod of the vending machine, the action is similar to thatabove described except that auxiliary feeler F2A is blocked as well asauxiliary feeler FlA. Accordingly. auxiliary feeler FZA provides afulcrum for clockwise swinging of main feeler lever F2 about the pointof engagement of the upper end of main feeler lever P2 with auxiliaryfeeler F2 A, and main feeler lever F2 swings clockwise about the fulcrumso provided to move drag link D2 toward the left to actuate the latchrelease lever R2. Latch release lever R1 is actuated in the same manneras above described for deposit of a quarter. Accordingly, the thirtycent pull-out rod of the vending machine may be completely pulled outand then returned to retracted position to dispense a thirty cent item.Feeler lever F3 is not blocked, and hence it simply swings freely on itspivot 37 on link D3, and the latter remains in retracted position sothat latch release lever R3 is not actuated. This precludes operation ofa thirty-five cent rod on deposit of thirty cents.

Assuming that a purchaser has deposited thirty-five cents in coin, thestops Sit-S3 will be rotated seven steps from the zero position. Thisbrings all three stops to a position with their lobes 235 opposed toauxiliary feelers FlA, FZA, F3A. As previously stated, it is necessaryto operate all three release levers RLRS to obtain a thirty-five centitem. When the purchaser, having deposited thirty cents, pulls out athirty-five cent rod of the vending machine, the action is similar tothat above described for thirty cent operation, except that auxiliaryfeeler PEA is blocked as well as auxiliary feelers FlA and 1 2A.Accordingly, auxiliary feeler F3A provides a fulcrum for clockwiseswinging of main feeler lever F3 about the point of engagement of theupper end of main feeler lever P3 with auxiliary feeler FSA, and mainfeeler lever F3 swings clockwise about the fulcrum so provided to movedrag link D3 toward the left to actuate the latch release lever R3.Latch release levers R1 and R2 are actuated in the same manner as abovedescribed for thirty cent operation. Accordingly, the thirty-five centpullout rod of the vending machine may be completely pulled out and thenreturned to retracted position for dispensing a thirty-five cent item.

It will be observed that, with any of stops SllS3 in feeler-blockingposition, there is in etfect a direct mechanical connection from thepull-out rod to the respective latch release lever Iii-R3 for positiveactuation of the respective latch release lever. This minimizes thepossibility of failure to actuate a latch release lever on a fast pullof the pull-out rod, as might occur if the linkage were to include ayielding spring link. In this regard, it is to be noted that spring 81is a strong spring, provided simply to take care of the possibility ofjamming of the coin apparatus, and for ordinary purposes may be regardedas a rigid link between lever 55 and crank arm 73. The direct mechanicalconnection is established via shaft 49, lever 55, spring 31 (which forordinary purposes may be regarded as a rigid link), arm 73, cam 65,lever 57, the respective main feeler lever F1, F2, F3, and therespective drag link D1, D2, D3. Also, on pulling out any rod, there isno major spring force to be overcome, and pull-out of the rod is therebymade easy. Additionally, provision is made for lockout in case offailure of the totalizer unit quickly to reset to zero.

It will be understood that conversion of the apparatus to differentthree-price setups may be readily accomplished by changing the positionof stops 51-83 relative to the bushing 225 and/or relative to oneanother.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:

1. Coin apparatus comprising a totalizer for totalizing the value ofcoins deposited in the apparatus and including an indexing stop movableaway from a retracted position to an operative position in stepscorresponding to a unit coin value and biased to return to retractedposition, coin-actuated means operable in response to deposit of coin inthe apparatus for advancing said stop in amounts proportioned to coinvalues, means for holding the stop in advanced position against thereturn bias, a latch release member, a link connected to said latchrelease member, a feeler lever pivoted on said link, means operable onsaid lever to swing one end thereof in the direction toward the stop andthen release said lever, and means for releasing the stop for return toretracted position upon release of the lever, said stop when inretracted position clearing said one end of the feeler lever for freeswinging movement of the feeler lever on its pivot without moving saidlink and when in operative position blocking said one end of the feelerlever against movement to establish a fulcrum about which said feelerlever swings to efiect translation of its pivot and consequent movementof said link to actuate said latch release member upon operation of saidmeans.

2. Coin apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said stop is a rotarystop having a lobe which blocks said i3 one end of the feeler lever whenthe stop is in operative position.

3. Coin apparatus as set forth in claim 2 further comprising anauxiliary feeler engageable by said one end of the feeler lever andengageable with said lobe when the stop is in operative position.

4. Coin apparatus comprising a totalizer for totalizing the value ofcoins deposited in the apparatus, said totalizer comprising an indexingstop means including a plurality of stops movable as a unit away from aretracted position in steps corresponding to a unit coin value todifferent operative positions and biased to return to retractedposition, coin-actuated means operable in response to deposit of coin inthe apparatus for advancing said stop means in amounts proportional tocoin values, means for holding said stop means in advanced positionagainst the return bias, a plurality of latch release members, one foreach stop, a plurality of links, one for each latch release member, eachconnected to a respective latch release member, a plurality of feelerlevers, one for each link, each pivoted intermediate its ends on arespective link, means operable on one end of the levers to swing theother ends thereof in the direction toward the respective stops and thenrelease said levers, and means for releasing said stop means for returnto retracted position upon release of said levers, each stop when inretracted position clearing said other end of the respective feelerlever for free swinging movement thereof on its pivot without moving therespective link and when in operative position blocking said other endof the respective feeler lever against movement to establish a fulcrumabout which said feeler lever swings to effect translation of its pivotand consequent movement of the respective link to actuate the respectivelatch release member upon operation of said means.

5. Coin apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein the stops are rotarystops all rotatable as a unit on a common axis, each stop having a lobewhich blocks said other end of the respective feeler lever when the stopis in operative position, said lobes being angularly displaced aroundsaid axis.

6. Coin apparatus as set forth in claim 5 further comprising auxiliaryfeelers, one for each feeler lever and stop, each engageable by saidother end of the respective feeler lever and engageable with the lobe ofthe respective stop when the stop is in operative position.

7. Coin apparatus comprising a totalizer for totalizing the value ofcoins deposited in the apparatus and including an indexing stop movableaway from a retracted position in steps corresponding to a unit coinvalue and biased to return to retracted position, coin-actuated meansoperable in response to deposit of coin in the apparatus for advancingsaid stop in amounts proportional to coin values, means for holding thestop in advanced position against the return bias, a member movable awayfrom and back to a retracted position, a feeler mounted on said memberadapted for movement relative to said member without moving it andadapted for working movement to move it, means for moving the feelertoward the stop, then releasing the feeler, and then releasing said stopfor return to retracted position, said stop when in retracted positionallowing free movement of the feeler without moving said member and whenin a predetermined advanced position constraining the feeler to effectworking movement of the feeler to move said member upon operation ofsaid feeler-moving means, and means for locking said feeler-moving meansout of operation in response to release of the stop without return ofthe stop to retracted position, said locking means remaining inactive inresponse to release of the stop and return thereof to retractedposition.

8. Coin apparatus comprising a totalizer for totalizing the value ofcoins deposited in the apparatus and including an indexing stop movableaway from a retracted position and biased to return to retractedposition, coinactuated means for advancing said stop in amountsproportional to coin values, means for holding the stop in advancedposition against the return bias, a latch release member, a linkconnected to said latch release member, a feeler lever pivoted on saidlink, means operable on said feeler lever to swing one end thereof inthe direction toward said stop and then to release said feeler lever,reset means operable from said lever-swinging means to release the stopfor return to retracted position after release of the feeler lever, saidstop when in retracted position clearing said one end of the feelerlever for free swinging movement of the feeler lever on its pivotwithout moving said link and when in a predetermined advanced positionblocking said one end of the feeler lever against movement to establisha fulcrum about which said feeler lever swings to effect translation ofits pivot and consequent movement of said link to actuate said latchrelease member upon operation of said lever-swinging means, and meansfor locking said lever-swinging means out of operation in response torelease of the stop to retracted position, said locking means remaininginactive in response to release of the stop and return thereof toretracted position.

9. Coin apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said reset meansincludes a reset member movable from a retracted position to a releaseposition for releasing the stop, and said locking means comprises meansfor latching the reset member in release position in response tomovement of the reset member to release position without return of thestop to retracted position, and means for locking said feeler-swingingmeans out of operation in response to latching of said reset member.

10. Coin apparatus comprising an indexing member rotatable in a forwarddirection away from a zero position and biased to return to zeroposition, coin-actuated means including a driving pawl and ratchet forrotating the indexing member forward in amounts proportional to coinvalue, a holding pawl for the ratchet, a reset member movable from aretracted position to release the pawls for return of the indexingmember under the bias from an advanced to zero position, means foractuating the reset member, means for latching the reset member inpawl-releasing position in response to movement of the reset member topawl-releasing position without return of the indexing member to zeroposition, and means for locking said reset member actuating meansagainst movement in response to latching of said reset member inpawl-releasing position.

11. Coin apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said reset membercomprises a lever pivoted for swinging movement from retracted topawl-releasing position and biased to retracted position, wherein saidlatching means is engageable by said indexing member on quick returnthereof to zero position to keep it out of latching engagement with saidreset lever, and wherein said locking means comprises a locking leverengaging the reset lever and biased to move toward a locking position onmovement of the reset lever to pawl-releasing position and to bereturned to an inactive position by the reset lever on return of thelatter to retracted position.

12. Coin apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein the means foractuating said reset lever comprises a cam and a link for moving thecam, said locking lever when in locking position blocking said link.

13. Coin apparatus comprising a totalizer for totalizing the value ofcoins deposited in the apparatus and including an indexing stop movableaway from a retracted position in steps corresponding to a unit coinvalue and biased to return to retracted position, coin-actuated meansoperable in response to deposit of coin in the apparatus for advancingsaid stop in amounts proportional to coin values, means for holding thestop in advanced position against the return bias, a member movable awayfrom and back to a retracted position, a feeler mounted on said memberadapted for movement relative to said member without moving it andadapted for working movement to move it, means for moving the feelertoward the stop, then releasing the feeler, and then releasing said stopfor return to retracted position, said stop when in retracted positionallowing free movement of the feeler without moving said member and whenin a predetermined advanced position constraining the feeler to effectworking movement of the feeler to move said member upon operation ofsaid feeler-moving means.

14. Coin apparatus as set forth in claim 13 wherein said feelercomprises a lever pivoted on said member and wherein said indexing stop,when in its said predetermined advanced position, establishes a fulcrumfor said feeler lever to effect swinging movement thereof about thefulcrum to move said member upon operation of said feeler-moving means.

15. Coin apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said membercomprises a slidable link, and wherein said feeler lever is pivotedintermediate its ends on said link, said feeler-moving means beingoperative on one end of said feeler lever and the other end of saidfeeler lever being movable toward and away from said stop.

16. Coin apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein an auxiliary leveris interposed between said other end of said feeler lever and said stop.

17. Coin apparatus comprising a totalizer for totalizing the value ofcoins deposited in the apparatus, said totalizer comprising an indexingstop means including a plurality of stops movable as a unit away from aretracted position in steps corresponding to a unit coin value todifferent operative positions and biased to return to retractedposition, coin-actuated means operable in response to deposit of coin inthe apparatus for advancing said stop means in amounts proportional tocoin values, means for holding said stop means in advanced positionagainst the return bias, a plurality of members, one for each stop, eachmovable away from and back to a retracted for free movement relativethereto without moving it and adapted for working movement to move it,means for moving the feelers toward the respective stops, then releasingthe feelers, and then releasing said stop means for return to retractedposition, each stop when out of its operative position allowing freemovement of the respective feeler without moving the respective memberand when in its operative position constraining the respective feeler toeffect working movement thereof to move the respective member uponoperation of said feeler-moving means.

18. Coin apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein each feelercomprises a lever pivoted on the respective member and wherein eachstop, when in operative position, establishes a fulcrum for therespective feeler lever to effect swinging movement thereof about thefulcrum to move the respective member upon operation of said means.

19. Coin apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein each membercomprises a slidable link, and wherein each feeler lever is pivotedintermediate its ends on. the respective link, said means beingoperative on one end of each lever and the other end of each lever beingmovable toward and away from the respective stop.

20. Coin apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein auxiliary feelersare interposed between the said other ends of the levers and therespective stops.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,287,892 Lormor June 30, 1942 2,606,639 Dolman Aug. 12, 1952 2,843,242Gabrielsen et al. July 15, 1958

1. COIN APPARATUS COMPRISING A TOTALIZER FOR TOTALIZING THE VALUE OFCOINS DEPOSITED IN THE APPARATUS AND INCLUDING AN INDEXING STOP MOVABLEAWAY FROM A RETRACTED POSITION TO AN OPERATIVE POSITION IN STEPSCORRESPONDING TO A UNIT COIN VALUE AND BIASED TO RETURN TO RETRACTEDPOSITION, COIN-ACTUATED MEANS OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO DEPOSIT OF COIN INTHE APPARATUS FOR ADVANCING SAID STOP IN AMOUNTS PROPORTIONED TO COINVALUES, MEANS FOR HOLDING THE STOP IN ADVANCED POSITION AGAINST THERETURN BIAS, A LATCH RELEASE MEMBER, A LINK CONNECTED TO SAID LATCHRELEASE MEMBER, A FEELER LEVER PIVOTED ON SAID LINK, MEANS OPERABLE ONSAID LEVER TO SWING ONE END THEREOF IN THE DIRECTION TOWARD THE STOP ANDTHEN RELEASE SAID LEVER, AND MEANS FOR RELEASING THE STOP FOR RETURN TORETRACTED POSITION UPON RELEASE OF THE LEVER, SAID STOP WHEN INRETRACTED POSITION CLEARING SAID ONE END OF THE FEELER LEVER FOR FREESWINGING MOVEMENT OF THE FEELER LEVER ON ITS PIVOT WITHOUT MOVING SAIDLINK AND WHEN IN OPERATIVE POSITION BLOCKING SAID ONE END OF THE FEELERLEVER AGAINST MOVEMENT TO ESTABLISH A FULCRUM ABOUT WHICH SAID FEELERLEVER SWINGS TO EFFECT TRANSLATION OF ITS PIVOT AND CONSEQUENT MOVEMENTOF SAID LINK TO ACTUATE SAID LATCH RELEASE MEMBER UPON OPERATION OF SAIDMEANS.